Kolkata : Of the 60 students shortlisted from across India to represent the country at the Singapore–India Hackathon 2026, just four come from West Bengal. Two of them, Soumyadipta Dey and Ankit Kumar, study at Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata. The other two are Anirban Bandyopadhyay of Techno Main Salt Lake and Saksham Tiwari of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur.
Between 15 and 17 November, these four will leave the classroom behind and build alongside peers from Singapore on a bilateral stage.
Not a contest of countries, but a build between them
The hackathon is not India versus Singapore. Participants build together in cross-border teams rather than simply competing alongside one another. About 120 students from Singapore and India will be placed into 20 mixed-country teams to develop solutions for real-world problem statements set by industry partners. That works out to roughly six builders per team, with Indian and Singaporean minds on every one.
The hackathon at a glance
Edition: The fourth edition of the Singapore–India Hackathon.
Dates: 15–17 November 2026, three days of intensive building.
Venue: SMU’s campus in Singapore.
Participants: about 120 students, 60 from India and 60 from Singapore, in 20 cross-border teams.
Format: A free, in-person hackathon.
Opening: Senior officials from both countries’ Education Ministries will join students at the opening ceremony on 15 November.
Who is behind it
The hackathon is hosted by Singapore Management University’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) and The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE) Singapore, in collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell of India is also an organiser. It is hosted in consultation with the Singapore Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Education of the Government of India, and the High Commission of India in Singapore.
A idea born at the highest level
The hackathon was first proposed in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, during a visit to Singapore. This year’s edition also marks a milestone. Singapore’s Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee, noted that it is hosted as the two nations commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations.
How far it has come
The previous edition, in 2023, was organised by NTU Singapore with AICTE and drew more than 200 participants from both nations. Its finale was held at IIT Gandhinagar, where 12 teams of two Indian and two Singaporean students each competed for cash prizes of up to INR 12 lakh. The 2026 edition moves the platform to SMU and puts 120 students in 20 teams working on industry problem statements.
What this means for Heritage and West Bengal
Being chosen from 60 students across the country is a distinction in itself. For Heritage Institute of Technology, having two of the four West Bengal representatives is a proud moment that reflects the culture of innovation, mentorship and hands-on learning on campus.
“When two of our students are among the four chosen from West Bengal, out of 60 across India, it tells us that curiosity, when given the right environment, can travel far. At Heritage, we want our students to learn to build with people from other cultures and countries, not just to compete with them. Soumyadipta and Ankit will carry India’s flag, and Heritage’s values, to Singapore. We are immensely proud of them.” Pradip Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer, Heritage.
“A hackathon of this kind asks young engineers to solve real problems, with teammates they have just met, in a country that is not their own. That is a lesson no textbook can give. Soumyadipta and Ankit have earned this opportunity through hard work, and the guidance of their teachers has helped them get there. We are certain they will represent India, and our institute, with distinction and humility.” Dr. Basab Chaudhuri, Principal, Heritage Institute of Technology
“Being selected to represent India among 60 students is something I am still processing. I am looking forward to building with my Singaporean teammates and learning how they think and approach problems. I hope to learn as much as I contribute, and to make Heritage and India proud.” Ankit Kumar, Heritage Institute of Technology
“This is more than a competition for me. It is a chance to work with people from another country on problems that matter. I am grateful to my teachers and to Heritage for pushing me to try, and I will give it everything in Singapore.” Soumyadipta Dey, Heritage Institute of Technology
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